Dentures are artificial replacements for a patient’s natural teeth or gums. If poor oral health, a disease, or an accident has left you with only a few healthy teeth or none, your prosthodontist could suggest dentures. You can choose from two main types of dentures: complete and partial. Your dentist will make a model of your teeth for both types of dentures by taking their impressions. Missing teeth can cause problems with both your appearance and overall oral health. If you need teeth replacement services, Beach Dental Care Anaheim can assist. We have qualified and experienced dentists who understand all aspects of tooth replacement. You can count on us for all types of dentures, whether removable or fixed.
Types Of Dentures
Dentures can be used to replace all or some of your teeth. You can choose complete dentures or partial dentures depending on your dental needs. Complete dentures replace all your teeth, and they rest on your gums, covering the jawbones. Removable complete dentures replace the whole set of a patient’s lower or upper teeth. You should clean your removable full dentures at night with denture cleaners or water to avoid drying out or accumulation of contaminants. It will take some time to get used to dentures. It is normal to feel awkward when chewing, speaking, or smiling the first few days after acquiring dentures.
Fixed complete dentures are made of acrylic bases, resembling a patient’s natural gums. Fixed dentures are currently a solution for many patients, given the advancement in implant dentistry. They are a solution to using adhesives to keep dentures in place or the uncertainty of removable dentures that can fall off when talking or chewing. Your dentist can fit fixed complete dentures using a support like All-On-4 or a fixed implant reconstruction with dental crowns.
Partial dentures replace some teeth, not all, in a patient’s mouth. They restore the part of the patient's mouth which is making them feel uncomfortable because of the lack of teeth. Partial dentures attach to the present teeth. Your dentist can use dental implants to stabilize and restore partial dentures.
Permanent Dentures
In life, most things are temporary, dentures and teeth alike. The term ‘’permanent dentures’’ implies that the dentures will serve you for many years without requiring a replacement. Dental implants support permanent dentures. Dental cement or screws are used to hold permanent dentures onto the dental implants. A patient cannot remove permanent dentures. Only a prosthodontist can do so. Permanent dentures take time before they break, stain, wear out, or require a replacement.
It is normal to develop soreness after acquiring permanent dentures. However, the soreness resolves within a week or two. If the soreness persists, you should inform your dentist for an adjustment of the dentures.
Materials Used To Make Dentures
Today, a variety of materials are used to replace patients’ teeth and provide a natural-looking smile:
Acrylic Resin Dentures
These dentures are pink to resemble the gums' natural color. They are easier to adjust, cheap, and light. However, they can wear down quickly. Acrylic dentures require replacement every five to eight years.
Metal Dentures
The palate layer of a denture or the clasps of dentures are often made of metal. Usually, cobalt chrome is used for metal dentures. Metal dentures are long-lasting but poor in aesthetics since metal is easily noticeable and does not resemble your natural teeth.
Porcelain Dentures
Unlike acrylic, porcelain is harder, making porcelain dentures durable. Porcelain dentures also offer excellent aesthetics because the replaced teeth resemble your natural teeth. Porcelain can also withstand pressure when a patient bites or chews. However, porcelain is expensive compared to other materials used in making dentures. Porcelain dentures are also prone to breakage in case of an accident.
Other Flexible Materials
Occasionally, other materials can be used to make dentures. For example, polypropylene and polycarbonate are often used to make dentures. These materials make dentures adaptable to a patient’s mouth, making them more comfortable. But unfortunately, these materials are prone to bacteria buildup in or around the prosthesis.
Choosing The Color Of Dentures
Dentures are available in varying shades and colors. So you can be sure of finding a shade that matches your natural teeth.
Prosthodontists and their teams are professionals in shade matching and the art of color. When creating custom dentures, your prosthodontist will create them to match your other teeth. You could wonder if you can change the color of existing partial dentures. Yes, you can change the color of your existing denture, but the cost is almost the same as acquiring new dentures. Therefore, your dentist will likely advise you to buy new dentures instead of recoloring the existing ones.
What To Expect When Acquiring Dentures
It is normal to have minor irritation when you first acquire new dentures. The irritation will cease as your mouth gets used to them. However, how long the pain lasts will depend on several factors. For example, the pain could last longer if you had some of your natural teeth removed during the fitting of the new dentures. You could feel discomfort or pain for several weeks in the areas where tooth extractions occurred. Ensure that you visit your prosthodontist regularly for an adjustment of the dentures as you continue to heal.
Most people often wonder if you can have dentures fitted the same day after teeth removal. It is possible to have your dentures fitted the same day your teeth are removed. These dentures are known as ‘’immediate dentures’’. You should consult your prosthodontist to determine if you are a good candidate for immediate dentures.
When To Reline Your Dentures
After using dentures for some time, you need to undergo a reline to refit the dentures’ base if they no longer fit as they once did. Consult your prosthodontist to find out if you can reline your dentures. It is not recommended to reline your dentures with commercial over-the-counter kits. After a reline, your dentures will have a better and tighter fit.
You could experience drooling or excessive saliva after a denture reline. At times, your prosthodontist can fit dentures in a position that does not allow your lips to close properly, leading to excess saliva. If you notice excess saliva, you should visit your prosthodontist, who will examine the upper denture to determine if it is in the proper position. After an adjustment, you should be able to clear your mouth, and the amount of saliva will decrease.
Eating With Dentures
You must learn how to eat with your dentures, even if it will take you some time to get used to them. You will be able to eat normally after some time. However, it could take longer to get used to eating sticky or hard foods. If you fear that your dentures could fall off when eating, you could use denture adhesive to help hold and stabilize the dentures. This makes you feel comfortable and makes your eating process easier.
You should avoid chewing gum with your dentures on. Gum typically adheres to the acrylic plastic in dentures, causing them to become loose. Gum could also become stuck to the denture and discolor or harden it over time.
Whether You Should Remove Dentures When Sleeping
If you have fixed dentures, you will always have them on. You can sleep with your removable dentures, but removing them is advisable. Removing dentures at night allows the jawbone and the gums to relax. If you must wear your dentures for social reasons, you must set aside time to clean your mouth and prostheses during the day. You should not wear dentures 24 hours a day without observing proper oral hygiene. You should clean and store your dentures in water or a denture cleaner at night.
When The Lower Denture Feels Loose
The lower denture could feel loose compared to the upper denture. The movement of your tongue and the shape of your gums on the lower ridge could cause this instability. If your lower denture constantly feels loose, you should consult your prosthodontist. A prosthodontist can use dental implants to retain and stabilize the lower denture, making you feel confident and enabling you to chew efficiently without the fear that the denture will fall off.
If implant-supported dentures feel loose, the chances are that the screws that secure the dentures to the implant are loose. The main aim of attaching dentures to implants is to reduce their movement and stabilize the dentures. If the dentures are rubbing the inner walls of your cheeks, you should immediately revisit the dentist who made the dentures to have the bite and fit refined.
Often, dentists recommend denture adhesives to prevent the dentures from shifting in your mouth. In addition, denture relining improves the fit of the denture’s base to the jaw. However, it is challenging to make the denture stable if your jaw has been without natural teeth for some time, leading to loss of the jawbone.
Wearing dentures 24 hours a day can cause irritation of the soft tissues beneath the dentures, making you feel uncomfortable. You could confuse this feeling with loose dentures. It is best to avoid wearing dentures at night since this will allow the skin to recover from daytime wearing.
Your prosthodontist should maintain healthy skin inside your mouth and treat the skin properly before relining. Often, a dentist recommends a reline if a patient has sufficient jawbone. However, if a patient does not have enough jawbone, the dentist can re-make or redesign the denture.
When Dentures Feel Heavy
If your teeth were removed the same day the dentures were fitted, it would take time to heal and adjust to the new dentures. However, you can still reach out to your dentist for reassurance that the dentures will continue to fit well as you heal. If you did not have any teeth extracted or new dentures made, you should have fewer adjustments.
Sometimes, the dentures could feel heavy. You could experience the “heavy” feeling if you previously had partial dentures and now have a complete denture. You could also have this feeling if you have never worn dentures before. The heavy feeling will last several weeks before you adapt entirely to the feel of the dentures.
The Average Cost Of Dentures
The cost of dentures varies depending on several factors, including:
- The location of the dental practice,
- The complexity of your treatment, and
- The time required to complete the treatment.
The cost of dentures can vary based on your unique condition and whether you require partial or complete dentures. The price will also vary depending on the type of dentures. For example, the cost of metal dentures is different from that of acrylic dentures. Therefore, you need to visit your dentist and discuss your treatment needs and determine the potential cost of dentures.
You could also reach out to your local or state dental society to ascertain if the organization has resources for the public on the cost of dental services. You could also seek referrals from other patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dentures
Often, people who have received dentures and those considering having dentures ask many questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding dentures:
What Is The First Step Towards Acquiring Dentures?
You should start by visiting a prosthodontist to determine if you are a good candidate for dentures. A prosthodontist is an expert who has undergone extra training after dental school and specializes in teeth replacement and restoration, including dentures and even complicated cases.
The expert will examine your teeth and advise you on whether dentures are a viable option. Additionally, the prosthodontist will also determine if an alternative treatment is more suitable for your case.
I'm Losing a Bone After Wearing Dentures for a Long Time. How Can I Fix This?
Often, the jawbone can shrink and change shape after removing your teeth. Dentures play the same role as natural teeth: they preserve the jawbone. However, things do not always go as expected. Therefore, you should have your dentures examined every year.
Dentures should also be remade when they become loose and lose their fit in your mouth, usually after five to ten years of use. You can mask the loose fit of your dentures by using dental adhesive. Removing your dentures at night is also recommended to allow the gum tissues to rest and reduce the likelihood of sore spots.
Can I Receive Dentures After Staying Without Teeth For A Long Time?
You cannot guess the amount of lower and upper jawbone that will remain after going for years without teeth. Therefore, there is a possibility that you will lose a significant percentage of your jawbone after several years of not having teeth or wearing a denture. Often, the bone that holds the teeth shrinks slowly over time when the teeth are extracted.
You can still receive dentures, provided the dentist establishes that your jawbone can accommodate them. Your dentist will ensure that the dentures fit well and exert the minimum amount of stress on the jawbone. You should visit your dentist annually for a check-up to determine the bone level.
Can I Replace My Teeth With Dentures After Losing Them Due To Oral Cancer?
You could reach out to your dentist for consultation regarding this concern. At times, you must wait for a while before your dentist fixes the dentures. Your cancer treatment report is necessary because it guides the timeline and treatment approach.
What Should I Do When The Back Of Dentures Pop Up While Eating?
This could mean that the position of the implants is not favorable. Your dentures could also be ill-fitting. Often, your dentist can resolve this by adding more implants or improving the denture's fit.
It Is Hard To Remove My Dentures After Using Adhesive. So Can I Remove The Dentures Without Discomfort?
If you use the denture adhesive appropriately, only a little will remain on your palate and gums when you remove your denture. Several methods are available to remove the adhesive, including tissue, a wet toothbrush, gauze, or a damp washcloth. Use pea-sized dabs of adhesive that do not exceed four on each denture.
I Have Implants Beneath My Bottom Denture, But It Still Feels Loose. What Should I Do?
This is common if your dentist fitted the denture a long time ago and you did not go for maintenance. Unfortunately, the bone beneath the dentures could start shrinking with time. This could make the dentures slide and slip, leading to painful ulcers. The attachment parts could also wear out and require replacement. It is advisable to visit your dentist regularly to resolve this issue.
Find a Professional Dentist Near Me
Missing teeth not only make it hard to speak and chew food but could also affect your self-esteem. In addition, decaying and missing teeth increase the risk of gum disease. If you have missing teeth and are considering dentures, you must consult an experienced professional. Beach Dental Care Anaheim is a renowned dental office specializing in prosthodontic treatments and general and cosmetic dentistry services. We provide advanced and comprehensive dental services to patients. Contact us at 714-995-4000 to talk to one of our dentists.
